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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: JOE-08-0290v1 199/1/5    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Quesada, I. Articles by Nadal, A. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Quesada, I. Articles by Nadal, A.

CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM) and Instituto de Bioingeniería, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain

(Correspondence should be addressed to I Quesada; Email: ivanq{at}umh.es)

The secretion of glucagon by pancreatic -cells plays a critical role in the regulation of glycaemia. This hormone counteracts hypoglycaemia and opposes insulin actions by stimulating hepatic glucose synthesis and mobilization, thereby increasing blood glucose concentrations. During the last decade, knowledge of -cell physiology has greatly improved, especially concerning molecular and cellular mechanisms. In this review, we have addressed recent findings on -cell physiology and the regulation of ion channels, electrical activity, calcium signals and glucagon release. Our focus in this review has been the multiple control levels that modulate glucagon secretion from glucose and nutrients to paracrine and neural inputs. Additionally, we have described the glucagon actions on glycaemia and energy metabolism, and discussed their involvement in the pathophysiology of diabetes. Finally, some of the present approaches for diabetes therapy related to -cell function are also discussed in this review. A better understanding of the -cell physiology is necessary for an integral comprehension of the regulation of glucose homeostasis and the development of diabetes.